Houma parades will roll early for Super Bowl

Krewe of Hyacinthians members interact with the crowd during last year's parade in Houma.

Emily Schwarze/Staff

Matthew PleasantStaff Writer

Published: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 11:38 a.m.

HOUMA — If you like to keep your revelry on schedule, take note: The krewes of Hyacinthians and Titans will roll an hour earlier so locals can catch the Carnival parades and make it home in time for the Super Bowl.

Hyacinthians will kick off at 11 a.m. Feb. 7, 90 minutes earlier than scheduled, followed immediately by Titans.

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois, a member of the parish government's Mardi Gras committee, made the change so residents and krewe members will have enough time to enjoy the back-to-back parades and not miss a minute of the Saints-Colts game at 5:30 p.m.

“Probably 99 percent of Houma residents are Saints fans,” he said. “I'm just trying to make the best decision for everybody.”

In Larose, the Krewe of Versailles will roll at 11 a.m. instead of noon that Sunday.

In Thibodaux, the Krewe of Ambrosia is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., followed by Shaka at 2 p.m. Krewe officials said a time change has been discussed but a decision has not been made.

Krewe officials said they are optimistic the game and the time change won't affect their parade attendance.

Hyacinthians board member Danna Schwab said paradegoers will likely combine Super Bowl gatherings with the parade for and all-day party.

“It could be that everybody will go right through to the game,” she said.

The 365-member, all-woman krewe's theme is television nostalgia. Among the 16 throwing floats will be ones inspired by shows like “MASH,” “The Jetsons” and “Taxi.” Once the parades end at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, krewe members will enjoy the game on a large rented television screen in a hall there.

Titans, in its second year after its members broke from Krewe of Kajuns, said the parade will wrap up about 4:30 p.m. This year, their 20 floats are inspired by movies like Toy Story and Monsters Inc.

The decision to roll earlier is a good one, said Taisha Robichaux, the krewe president.

“When we're done, we going to be rooting for the Saints,” she said.

West-Houma parades roll from Southland Mall, turning from Bayou Gardens Boulevard onto West Park Avenue. Floats then turn onto Hollywood Road and then head down Main Street toward downtown. The Sheriff's Office works with Houma Police and State Police to secure the parade route.

Celebrations after the Saints' victory over the Vikings Sunday had residents shooting fireworks and honking car horns. Despite the ruckus, Houma Police detective Sgt. Dana Coleman said few complaints were made.

“I'd like to commend the citizens of Houma for celebrating the victory in a tasteful manner,” he said.

Coleman couldn't predict how residents will respond to a Saints Super Bowl win because everyone has waited for the moment for years.

“Things are going to be wild,” he said.

Staff Writer Matthew Pleasant can be reached at 857-2202 or matthew.pleasant@houmatoday.com.

<p>HOUMA — If you like to keep your revelry on schedule, take note: The krewes of Hyacinthians and Titans will roll an hour earlier so locals can catch the Carnival parades and make it home in time for the Super Bowl.</p><p>Hyacinthians will kick off at 11 a.m. Feb. 7, 90 minutes earlier than scheduled, followed immediately by Titans.</p><p>Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois, a member of the parish government's Mardi Gras committee, made the change so residents and krewe members will have enough time to enjoy the back-to-back parades and not miss a minute of the Saints-Colts game at 5:30 p.m.</p><p>“Probably 99 percent of Houma residents are Saints fans,” he said. “I'm just trying to make the best decision for everybody.”</p><p>In Larose, the Krewe of Versailles will roll at 11 a.m. instead of noon that Sunday.</p><p>In Thibodaux, the Krewe of Ambrosia is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., followed by Shaka at 2 p.m. Krewe officials said a time change has been discussed but a decision has not been made.</p><p>Krewe officials said they are optimistic the game and the time change won't affect their parade attendance.</p><p>Hyacinthians board member Danna Schwab said paradegoers will likely combine Super Bowl gatherings with the parade for and all-day party.</p><p>“It could be that everybody will go right through to the game,” she said.</p><p>The 365-member, all-woman krewe's theme is television nostalgia. Among the 16 throwing floats will be ones inspired by shows like “MASH,” “The Jetsons” and “Taxi.” Once the parades end at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, krewe members will enjoy the game on a large rented television screen in a hall there. </p><p>Titans, in its second year after its members broke from Krewe of Kajuns, said the parade will wrap up about 4:30 p.m. This year, their 20 floats are inspired by movies like Toy Story and Monsters Inc.</p><p>The decision to roll earlier is a good one, said Taisha Robichaux, the krewe president.</p><p>“When we're done, we going to be rooting for the Saints,” she said.</p><p>West-Houma parades roll from Southland Mall, turning from Bayou Gardens Boulevard onto West Park Avenue. Floats then turn onto Hollywood Road and then head down Main Street toward downtown. The Sheriff's Office works with Houma Police and State Police to secure the parade route.</p><p>Celebrations after the Saints' victory over the Vikings Sunday had residents shooting fireworks and honking car horns. Despite the ruckus, Houma Police detective Sgt. Dana Coleman said few complaints were made.</p><p>“I'd like to commend the citizens of Houma for celebrating the victory in a tasteful manner,” he said.</p><p>Coleman couldn't predict how residents will respond to a Saints Super Bowl win because everyone has waited for the moment for years.</p><p>“Things are going to be wild,” he said.</p><p>Staff Writer Matthew Pleasant can be reached at 857-2202 or matthew.pleasant@houmatoday.com.</p>